In Other Words @ Prohibition Bar, Gateshead. November 12

Alex Thompson (alto saxophone & clarinet), Nathan Lawson (guitar) & Dylan Thompson (drums)

(Review by Russell/Photo courtesy of Keith Thompson)

Saturday, Prohibition Bar, Gateshead. Sold out. A fundraising concert organised by Alex Thompson to help him raise funds to make the trip of a lifetime to India in July next year when he will be digging wells, building classrooms and making many lifelong friends in doing so. Alex, 16, plays alto saxophone and clarinet in Paraffernalia, Gateshead schools’ big band. Alex was joined on the gig by younger brother Dylan on drums and their friend Nathan Lawson, guitar. They call themselves In Other Words.

Song for My Father, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, Bernie’s Tune, Come Fly with Me, Cry Me a River – and this just a selection from the first few tunes! These young men have assembled a pad of gigantic proportions and it continues to grow apace. Dylan, drum kit set-up on the small stage area behind the front line, looked the business in casual (no tie) jacket, Alex and Nathan seated out front, t-shirt order. Alex’s alto work indicated a firm grasp of the melody in question and Nathan’s rhythmic support impressed time and again, the bass lines particularly effective. At the back, Dylan, 14, played in the groove, a real prospect is D Thompson. Alex played some clarinet; Fats’ Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans? the first of two numbers on his other, or ‘second’ instrument.

The audience, including David Blakey (Paraffernalia’s MD), listened intently, supporting three musicians of tomorrow. Drummer Dylan excelled on Jaco’s The Chicken, Nathan’s guitar intro set-up Fly Me to the Moon to which we all knew the lyrics…In Other Words! Their first set – one hour and ten minutes – couldn’t have gone much better.

Prohibition Bar’s proprietor has worked hard to make the Brandling Street speakeasy the successful venture it has become, the atmosphere made for the occasion. The trio stepped off the stage to take a well-earned break, mingling with family and friends. Young Dylan Thompson took charge of the raffle – is there no end to the young man’s talents?!

The second set opened with some good alto from Alex on All the Things You Are and the trio followed up with a spirited take on Scrapple from the Apple. They took a Slow Boat to China, insisted It Don’t Mean a Thing (they’ve got it!) with a fun round of fours, and Alex’s fluent alto on Bye Bye Blackbird caught the ear. How about Minor Swing? And a grooving Chameleon? The Zutons’ Valerie made it onto the set-list, not exactly the GAS book, but why not? It’s a good tune. The trio, Alex, Nathan and Dylan, 16, 15 and 14 had to be dragged off stage some one hour and twenty minutes later. They were having fun. A third set of tunes wouldn’t have been a problem. In Other Words said good night with the Sonny Rollins’ feel-good number St Thomas. A thoroughly entertaining evening, there is no doubt whatsoever that we will be hearing more from Alex, Nathan and Dylan.
YouTube clip.

Russell.

If you would like to know more about Alex Thompson’s World Challenge expedition, in the first instance please contact Bebop Spoken Here